Morning journal and courier., 1887-01-14
LYMAN BEECHER LECTURES.

Rev. DIR. Washington GLADDEN. Dis
| cusses the Christfanizing of EcOno-
| mic TheorIes-Christ1an Doctrine of
| Property in Land - Valuable Lee.
| lures.
| Rev. Washington GLADDEN. gave his second
lecture in the Lyman Beecher course in the
Marauand chapel yesterday upon the ques-
ton whether the theory of economics could
be Christianzed. The desire of property is
the one over mastering passion of modern
society. 1t has built our large cities, COW
cred the continent with network of steel
| and made the ocean ferry. Such passion
| can create wonders and it can destroy them
| as quickly. 1t excites tempers and sentl-
| ments which are the reverse of Christianity
contempt in the rich and envy among the
poor. The inequality of old was not such
| constant source of irritation as now, when it
/ is difficult to persuade the poor that the
| chasm between them and the rich is one of ma
ture The wealthy become more insolent and
| the poor have more wants and are growing more
discontinued. In the commercial realm all
are trying to overreach or undermine one an
other. Love one another is not the rule of
| this realm and it has yet to De brought IN
der Christ's dominion. Egoism is the sub
stratum upon which all rest. Mr.. GLADDEN.
read an extract from an author who tried
to set forth that self-love was greater
| in man than benevolence because
God had created it so and in
speaking of this said if this were true then
the preponderanee of good will over self love
was the occasion of the fall, Eve giving to
her husband instead of eating it all herself,
thus bringing evil into the world. 1t is true
that God is able to neutralize the effects
made by the evil in man, but this gives us
no idea of what might be ours by obeying
God.
The error of the old economists was op-
timism. This las given place to material
ism outside of the moral order. Christian
morality assumes that men are free; and
their condition in social society is a result of
choice We can never win for the Master
the allegiance of the strong men of the world
until we show that he has the power and
purpose to rule in the factory and in bust
ness as well as in the church and the
home. The political economists of to-day
are abandoning the old theories and teaching
system in harmony with Christian ethics.
In the fields of economic theory there are
the clearest signs of the kingdom of God.
The old ideas still remain in the people, how
ever. Rag weeds are easily propagated, but
not easily exterminated.
In these facts we msy find the following
practical suggestions: Let the Christian
teacher get hold of the truth that the Chris
tian law is the perfect and universal law.
Let him understand and not misstate this
law promoting both Standardization and
beneyolence, being the coordination of al
tru1sm and egolsm. Let him be prepared to
show that the general happiness is not pro
NOTED when self-love is above benevolence
and to challenge the materialistic fatalism in
social forces. The laws of economics
are not physical laws, but are modified
by will and choice; moral considerations and
conduct modify the working of economic
forces. Sympathy with the laborer and in
terest on the part of the employer affect the
| fortunes of the laborer for good OF i'll mate
| rally. HopefulDess, self respect and social
| ambition the best means by which to pro
mote wealth. The protracted reduction of
| wages has evil effect which perpetustes
and aggravates itself. Moral agencies alone
can remove economic aggravations. The
| truth demonstrates itself. Economics cannot
| be discussed without reference to ethical
questions. Such discussion is both immoral
and unscientifc. Our condition requires al
| ways that increase of national wealth be sub
ordinate to the national welfare.
The subject of the lecture this afternoon
will be ''The Christian Doctrine of Property
| in Land"